Filippo Costa, a young customs officer of modest social standing is secretly nursing a great ambition, which sets him worlds apart from his co-workers and humble roots.
At first, he thinks he will easily make his way up the professional ladder in this job he has chosen, but when he finds himself faced with corruption, he understands that he can aim even higher. In his irresistible social climb he his helped by Caterina, an older, beautiful, elegant and very rich woman who is also very in love.
Thanks to her, Filippo will enter the world of high finance and end up reaching a very prestigious financial position.
In order to avoid being crushed by the harsh rules of this financial world, Filippo will be forced to let go of every moral and human restraint.